Italy: Parker Villas info

From LAX, Lufthansa, United, British, Air France, US Airways and Swiss offer connecting service (change of plane) to Rome. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $436, excluding taxes and fees.

Parker Villas, (800) 280-2811, http://www.parkervillas.com. Rents properties all over Italy, with prices from $780 a week. Cooking classes in a villa are additional and typically cost about $75 a person for a half-day session. Go to http://www.actividayz.com to see Parker's cooking classes and wine and food tours.